CKPW-FM

The CRTC approved the application by John Charles Yerxa, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station to serve Edmonton. The Commission noted that the applicant committed, by condition of licence, to devote at least 40% of all category 2 (Popular music) selections aired in each broadcast week and between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, to Canadian selections. These levels exceed the minimum regulatory requirement set out in the Regulations and would therefore provide enhanced exposure for Canadian popular music and ensure that each station will be obligated to maintain a high level of musical diversity throughout the licence term. The Commission also noted that Yerxa would be a new player both in the Edmonton market and in the Canadian radio industry. Yerxa proposed to offer a Young Variety music format targeted to listeners between the ages of 12 and 34 years. At the hearing, Yerxa described Young Variety as a musically diverse format that features a wider selection of new music with a mix of new rock, hip-hop, dance and alternative pop. At least 80% of the musical selections would be those released in the previous six months. In the Commission’s view, this innovative music format would appeal to listeners in Edmonton that were currently underserved. Yerxa’s proposed station would also provide significant local reflection. All of the programming would be local and live-to-air. In each broadcast week, 10 hours 32 minutes would be devoted to spoken word programming, including 2 hours of pure news. At least 90% of the news would be local. In addition, the station would, in each broadcast week, air 1 hour 18 minutes of weather, 1 hour of traffic reports, 24 minutes of sports, 28 minutes of entertainment and cultural reports, 1 hour 10 minutes of programming that spotlights emerging artists and 4 hours 12 minutes of announcer talk. The proposed station would broadcast on a frequency of 107.1 MHz with an average effective radiated power of 40,000 watts.

CJNW 107.1 (“New 107 FM”) began on-air testing. When it signed on it would have a Contemporary Hits format.

On-air branding was changed from “New 107 FM” to “Hot 107”. 

On October 6, at 5:00 p.m., HOT 107 (Edmonton’s NEW Hit Music Channel) officially signed on from its storefront studio in West Edmonton Mall (2394 West Edmonton Mall, 8882 – 170 Street) – boasting 10,000 songs in a row. HOT 107 was owned by heritage radio and research consultant John Yerxa, whose father – Hal Yerxa – founded CFCW in 1954. Since the age of 18, John had spent his entire career developing and consulting radio stations around North America, including Edmonton’s own Power 92 and 96 K-Lite FM. Yerxa was also general manager. Russell James was program director. Bill Shepansky was general sales manager. Faaiza Ramiji was promotions and marketing director. 

CJNW began using live personalities on January 11. Studios and offices were in the West Edmonton Mall (2394 West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 Street), next to Newcap Broadcasting’s CFCW, CIRK and CKRA. John Yerxa was general manager. Russell James was program director. Bill Shepansky was general sales manager. Faaiza Ramji was promotions and marketing director.

The CRTC approved a change to the effective control of 1475435 Alberta Ltd. from John Yerxa to Paul J. Hill through the transfer of all issued shares of 1475435 to Harvard Broadcasting Inc. 1475435 was the licensee of CJNW-FM Edmonton.
John Yerxa decided to sell Hot 107 due in part to health concerns. 

Once Harvard closed on the Hot 107 purchase, it was twinned with the company’s Lite 95.7 FM.

It was announced that Ryder would be joining Edmonton’s Hottest New Music, HOT 107, as the station’s first morning show host in the summer. Most recently he was with SONiC 107.5 Chilliwack. Before that he was morning host at WIRED 96.3 Saskatoon.

The new program director at 91.7 The Bounce was Russell James. It’s a return to the Rogers station for James who, in the last go-round, was an on-air host. Most recently he was PD at Harvard Broadcasting’s HOT 107 FM (CJNW) Edmonton.

Kim Fjellner became the new General Sales Manager at Lite 95.7/Hot 107 July 1. She moved from her GSM position at sister Harvard station 100.7 fm The River Red Deer.

HOT 107 announced that their very own resident DJ Tyco was now also a monthly resident DJ on the internationally syndicated Remix Top 30 Countdown with Hollywood Hamilton. The Remix Top 30 Countdown was heard on stations around the world, including HOT 107 Saturdays from noon-3pm and Sundays from 9am-noon.

On August 15, CJNW became CKPW and rebranded from Hot 107 to Power 107. The format changed from CHR to Classic CHR from the 1990’s and early 2000’s with a lean towards a more rhythmic sound.